Writing
is undeniably a central part of literacy and the main forum in which
children learn to find their "voice". Our team follows a Writing
Workshop model, which is similar to our Reading Workshop, making the
connection more genuine for kids! As part of a team-teaching and
multi-age approach, Mrs. Brown's and Mr. Sutterlin's will join
together to learn, write and share our creations this
year. Throughout the workshop we will write in the genres of
personal narrative, personal essay, literary essay and fiction.
Within the context of these genres, students will learn grammar,
mechanics of good writing, the writing process, and handwriting skills,
but most of all getting in touch with themselves as a person who CAN
write!

Students will
join as a whole group for a quick focus lesson, tailored to the
specific genre we're studying. Following this interactive
discussion, students will write independently, using skills acquired
from all lessons while teachers conference with writers independently.
At the end of the workshop, the group joins together for a few
people to share their work, their observations or anything they've
learned during that sesson.

Writing
Workshop GenresPersonal NarrativesPersonal narratives are
also called "small moment" stories or "seed" stories (not
"watermelon"). These are focused, detailed writings about our
lives, the times we remember, special people, places or things.
Most of these are first-person accounts where we sometimes
explore limiter dialogue, but really focus on tight storyshowing (not
telling). Students build confidence from writing what they know
and the stories we share are always touching!Personal EssaysPersonal essays are the
basis of the academic writing required of students for the rest of
their school lives. The standard essay is a strong thesis
statement, followed by at least three good examples or reasons for
their statement (or "big idea"). These are very challenging at
first, but with some direct explanation, solid examples and a few
planning tools we've created, kids end up doing a great job!Literary EssaysLiterary essays is an
expansion on the personal essay format that students spend a few months
mastering. In this version, we read short stories that are also
part of our reading workshop and develop a "big idea" or thesis based
on one of those stories. Students then use examples and reasons
from the story itself to support their "big idea". After essyas,
these come quite a bit easier!Realistic Fiction
Fiction sounds easy enough and elementary kids are dying to unleash
those imaginations to tell about their superpowers, magic devices,
invented animorphs and endless "what ifs". By building upon their
published narratives, essays, and we redirect the "what ifs" to
stories that could have actually happened in our lives...but didn't.
Imagining the possible is much harder, but so rewarding!

The
Writing ProcessThe writing process hasn't changed much over the years. In
our Writing Workshop students are introduced to the five familar
stages, but guided along through their writing pieces at each child's
individual rate. Below is a table of the writing process and some
terminology from our room that matches: